Cold weather advisory warns of frigid wind chills. These shelters are open

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What is the polar vortex? How it impacts winter weather across the U.S. The polar vortex is a large area of circulating cold air above the North Pole. Strong winds keep it contained, but when it weakens, it can wobble and stretch.
What is the polar vortex? How it impacts winter weather across the U.S. The polar vortex is a large area of circulating cold air above the North Pole. Strong winds keep it contained, but when it weakens, it can wobble and stretch.

By Lucia Cheng, Brian Smith, Des Moines Register

Another wave of dangerously low wind chills is headed for the Des Moines metro and Polk County has activated its Extreme Temperature Plan.

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The plan went into effect at noon on Friday, Dec. 12, and will remain in effect until noon Monday, Dec. 15.

In Central Iowa, that means warming centers will be open to provide shelter and a break from the cold. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is providing free rides to warming centers.

What is Polk County’s extreme temperature plan?

When temperatures are extremely cold or extremely hot, officials designate buildings where people can shelter from dangerous weather conditions.

These Extreme Temperature Centers may be open during the facility’s normal business hours or hours may be extended depending on the situation and need.

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Polk County activates the plan for extreme cold temperatures when conditions reach 10 degrees with wind chill for three or more days, 5 degrees with wind chill for two or more days or 0 degrees with wind chill for one or more days.

Cold weather advisory warns of dangerous wind chills in Iowa

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

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Cold weather and winds of around 10 mph will combine to create dangerous wind chills across Iowa.

Wind chill values are expected to reach their lowest points in the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 14. In Des Moines, wind chills could reach 20 degrees below zero. It will be even colder in northern Iowa, with a wind chill of 32 degrees below zero expected in Estherville around 6 a.m. Sunday.

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Where are warming shelters in Des Moines and central Iowa?

Warming centers in the Des Moines metro include:

  • Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.
  • Des Moines Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave.
  • Des Moines Scott-Four Mile Community Recreation Center, 3711 Easton Blvd.
  • Des Moines Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.
  • Polk County Health Department, 1907 Carpenter Ave.
  • Des Moines South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave.

A full list of available warming centers can be found on the Polk County website. The county recommends calling ahead to check for availability.

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